The Secret World of New York's Fake Buildings

We'll explore the Fake Building Phenomenon in New York City to see what's going on. From abandoned buildings to Hollywood, let's take a deep dive into NYC's Urban Planning History.
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I'm Jon Barr, an ex-sportscaster turned travel vlogger. If you're looking for waste no-time ,incredibly informative videos loaded with useful travel tips, you've come to the right place! My vlogs are made for the savvy traveler. Subscribe to learn all of my travel tips, tricks, and secrets that have helped me visit 33 countries. Based out of NYC but always on the go.
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[@HereBeBarr]

Watch This Next- This Hidden Island is New York’s BEST Kept Secret! : kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH3MaqyerZuGiNU and 15 Unspoken Rules REAL New Yorkers Never Break: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnnLf62Dn5x_is0

[@rdbchase]

"... inhibited [sic] by machines ..." -- "inhabited"

[@tudorjason]

I would imagine living next to fake residential buildings would increase quietness, making the location more ideal.

[@Stampershorttoe]

Ive never been to nyc, cant afford to go,not really ever planned to go but am hooked with these videos

[@cosmic_pursuit]

aw, come and visit! It's worth it for a once in a lifetime trip

[@tiamarrow6366]

To be completely honest, the only real “expensive” thing about the city for tourists is really where to stay like hotels and Airbnb’s. Food and activities to do really aren’t that expensive as long as you know where to look. This channel, as well as Sarah Funk’s channel both have plenty of videos on affordable and cheap foods and activities that you can find in the city that won’t break your bank.

[@jeffreyrafos7859]

NYC Telecom worker here. Ive been in the Thomas St building. There is another one of those At&T buildings in Hells Kitchen on 10th Ave in the 50's. NSA does have a few floors in each which are used to monitor undersea comm cables coming in from Atlantic Ocean. Also the building used to bustle with activity but since the death of copper telephone service in city the necessity for workers has dropped to a skeleton crew.

[@johng.4711]

My dad worked in that big windowless building. It was a Bell Telephone (AT&T) building that was meant to be super secure for national security purposes. Yes it looks like a nightmare but it was built to survive attacks and natural disasters because phone connectivity was/is vital.

[@chillwill5080]

I love how City Hall in NYC pretends to house a competent government.

[@kathythompson9931]

As always, John, informative and fun and interesting!

[@honorrolls5415]

What an incredible interesting video thanks

[@HereBeBarr]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@s.macintosh-jc9rf]

Hi Jon, Thanks for your wonderful video about ‘fake buildings’. Fascinating stuff. You continue to provide great content! Have a great weekend, Peter

[@letsrolloutnyc]

Love this video, i didn’t know about some of these spots. Thanks for this amazing video Jon 💪🏽

[@maureenmaureen713]

Most interesting!!! TY Jon. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@melissaburden6303]

Great video! Love the "fake" buildings and your added historical info. Thanks!

[@mirnemo5897]

Another well-done video with sweet graphics! They just keep getting better and better Jon💯

[@HereBeBarr]

Much appreciated!

[@njo1982]

What a brilliant watch this was! Great work as always Jon!

[@HereBeBarr]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jfwfreo]

The AT&T Long Lines building contains a lot of long distance phone gear (probably including gear that handles phone calls coming across the Atlantic on undersea cables) so its logical that it would be a good place for the NSA to wiretap calls that it might be interested in. Having lots of big vents makes sense as well, phone gear makes a lot of heat and you need a way to exhaust that heat and bring in cooler air from outside the building.

[@cosmic_pursuit]

Great video bro - super interesting

[@TheBingBuzz]

This is amazing!

[@Joezeppi1]

I loved this video! Thanks for the education my friend 👍

[@adventureswithcarl123]

Definitely one of the most interesting vlogs you have done so far! Had no clue about these fake buildings prior to watching this! Have a wonderful day

[@n3wt]

KZbin always recommend me ur videos and I never been to Ny

[@HereBeBarr]

Might be a sign

[@5argetech56]

Yeah I know about these Subway infrastructure facades! Very good video on what is taken for granted!

[@suefitz2498]

That is something I’ve never heard of or seen before. I wish I knew about those buildings when I was visiting. Thanks for such a comprehensive review of them with all that history ❤❤

[@squiggleworks9]

I read a long time ago that the most vulnerable part of even the most well fortified building are doors and windows, so I can understand the thinking behind the AT&T building

[@prestonradtke222]

John, this is my favorite video of yours. Excellent work. Would be really interesting If you could do something on New York’s litany of private clubs: union, players, etc. Granted, you probably can’t get access to go inside, but a lot of them have some really interesting history.

[@johnan1]

Great video Jon, have been watching since 2022.

[@bonniepwtf]

Nicely done

[@HereBeBarr]

Thanks!

[@ollie7875]

Hi Jon, I just wanted to thank you for your helpful videos - after watching some of them we took the architectural boat tour and walked the High Line right after (there's an elevator on 23rd street/10th Ave right near Chelsea Piers where the boat tour starts and ends), those were fantastic suggestions. Thank you and greetings from Canada :)

[@HereBeBarr]

Glad I could help!

[@jester1cp]

One of your best videos yet. 😎

[@HereBeBarr]

Glad you think so!

[@kristinchong629]

John is the best. And I'm old and a dank but like yeah numbers but like john was a sportscaster and does NY history and infrastructure like instead of chasing numbers like he can redevelop the brand of new York stories. Like what r the levels of bridges.

[@Lyons_T-BAG]

Very good and informative video, Jon. Thumbs up. Hope all is well!

[@HereBeBarr]

Thanks, you too!

[@TrinbagoVibes]

This was a pretty cool video, very informative and interesting

[@matttedder7173]

You should look into showcasing some of best FDNY firehouses. The architecture of some are amazing and I would love to see your take on them. Also I’m sure the FFs would suggest their favorite local food spots.

[@lawnside82]

“ that mf is not real” - some crazy lady on a plane..😂

[@BUY_YOUTUBE_VIEWS_d114]

I've been binge-watching your videos, and I'm hooked. You've gained a loyal fan!

[@gittes98]

Thanks for the shout-out to Vancouver, Jon

[@CCab-bay]

I like these type of videos 🎉

[@janetr9987]

Loved this one! And Jon, if I want to see quintessential old Little Italy up in The Bronx--- is that Arthur St & maybe 187th too? Or if there is a great Bronx video you did, maybe let me know? 🙏❤️

[@janetr9987]

Found one! you did it 2 years ago 👍🍕

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

The lack of alleys in Manhattan is a big part of why it always smells so bad. Most cities stuff their trash in the alleys until the sanitation workers can haul it away. In Manhattan, that's not possible.

[@HereBeBarr]

That’s an amazing point

[@JoseMendes20Toronto]

Hey man, how you doin? I seen alot of those buildings watching Cash Jordan but still all good

[@douggray169]

Excellent videio

[@kennyadvocat]

Very nice video. People have been writing about these weird buildings even 20-30 years ago. People always love a good conspiracy theory. Those vents are for cooling phone equipment or big generator rooms. Dad designed a lot of machine rooms for Verizon buildings. Early 2000's i use to eat a snack on the stoops of 58 Joralemon before playing shows up the next block at the Heights Players theater. A few times track workers came out and it scared me. haha

[@Mrbeahz1]

As alays, a great video. One minor correction: The 4 & 5 trains take the Joralemon tunnel - even the plaque says "4/5".

[@Drax514]

Random question Mr Barr, last year in March I went to NYC on a solo trip, and your videos helped me immensely. Now this March I am going to London, and I was wondering if you knew of anybody on KZbin or elsewhere that you'd recommend in a similar vain to your channel? I'm mostly looking for general travel tips for a first timer to London, but also plenty of food recommendations and other things, like the video you do. So yeah, if you know anybody that puts out good and informative content on London, definitely would appreciate the recommendation!

[@HereBeBarr]

Love and London for sure.

[@Drax514]

@@HereBeBarrThats the one that kept popping up for me, so I will take your recommendation then! Thanks much, and can't wait to get back to NYC. I miss Margon tremendously

[@munz1870]

Great vid! I hate that Thomas St building ! It looks so cold & evil. Fittingly near the FBI & Courts too! Lol. I would also add the Times Sq building where the ball is dropped but currently undergoing a big renovation which looks like it will be occupied in the near future.

[@user-qb1iu2tx7x]

Cool

[@9_Elvis_6]

Nice video. There also an another New York City Transit Substation (Jay Street) at 21216 Jay Street. You should check it out it’s in the Downtown Brooklyn Area. It’s between a condo and next to New York City College Of Technology (CUNY).

[@BeingKansai]

Fascinating stuff! Good job getting beneath the surface of NYC (pun intended!)

[@HereBeBarr]

oh that's good!

[@MelWithPals]

OMG, did you just mention....VANCOUVER??! Thank you.

[@2Wheels_NYC]

I remember when the lot in Greenwich Village was empty, and it was only a fence with all the tiles.

[@ToABrighterFuture]

The Long Lines Building was the inspiration for the Oldest House in the game "Control."

[@steves1749]

As a lifelong NYer I got a kick out of seeing this video. Great job. But I was just reading in the NYT that the lack of ally’s in NYC is a big hindrance to Sanitation and garbage control.

[@johnan1]

From December 23 2023 to January 1st 2024 me and my family went to New York (we used to live in michigan but currently live in Australia), which was a dream I had for seven years and it finally came true then. When we flew from denver to laguardia we landed in NYC at night and to see the glowing skyline from a plane was simply an incredible experience that will live with me forever. I may not have felt it in the moment due to being shocked that I was actually in NYC, but looking back I realise how truly surreal it was to be in New York. We spent most of our days in the general manhattan area but we were staying at east rutherford in jersey... despite not waking up to the honks and noises of NYC at street level, one advantage to staying in NJ is that from a bus you get to see the gorgeous skyline coming at you every day. We visited Top of the rock which offered phenomenal views, but the one that took the cake was from Hamilton Park in NJ... the best view I have ever seen in my life of anything (and a week before that we were in rocky mountains and grand canyon). Before going to NY I knew it was my favorite city and even after it remains true... the coolest place on the planet. On Dec 31 I decided to live out the "once-in-a-lifetime" experience of attending the ball drop in times square... mixed feelings. The weather wasn't that bad actually, considering it was one of the warmest winters ever in NYC apparently. We arrived at the ball drop lines at around 11:30am and we didn't get into times square until around 7pm at night. The amount of people and chaos surrounding me and my mom at one point- we could not even breath or move for a solid hour, NYPD were swearing, people were screaming, and our lungs were compressing. Finally we eventally did get into times square were we had a clear but distant view of the ball drop tower, despite being much further away than we hoped. Still a cool experience but wouldn't necassarily do it again. My only regrets were not having Katz's deli pastrami as the one i had from a 'brooklyn deli' in port authority was mid, and i never got to have a ny bagel. Overall, a 9/10 experience for NYC, would go again. Cool to experience festive season by going for christmas and NYE, but didn't feel as christmasy as the films due to no snow, which I had expected. Still cool. Would go again but in maybe summer or spring this time, because when we went at the start of winter, it was so dull and cloudy and misty we could barely see the skyline at times, which was annoying since I am a huge skyline guy and NYC is definitely my favorite cityscape. Nonetheless, a complete vibe. That time around, however, I will walk around the city with the Taxi Driver saxophone playing in my ears...

[@Marvel-Rogue]

Thanks for this information YOU TRUELLY have become an native new yorker glad to have ya a bard 👍🏾 @HereBeBarr

[@sidrad]

I got a look inside 58 Joralemon a few weeks ago when MTA workers left the front door open. It's pretty dingy and not that exciting, yet mindblowing.

[@yuukisama2001]

There's a odd looking train station around Fulton, near the huge Broadway building not far from the Wall Street bull. I don't if it's a entrance that used to be open or it's closed off and kept for the decor.

[@DizMizzer]

Ted Mosby if he was a youtuber lmao. Loved the video and you got such a catchy way of explaining things.

[@cindee1794]

Hey, Jon! Have you ever done a video about the abandoned City Hall subway station? That's one place I really want to tour the next time I make it up there.

[@HereBeBarr]

a long time ago I did. could use an update.

[@ABCA773]

If you enjoy the subject you should watch the tesla documentary about The New Yorker Hotel.

[@maciekdabrowski13]

First thing I saw after eating 1.5 pizza next to Grand Central was you.. runing next to me :)

[@jmi5969]

2:20 - curiously, there are very similar windowless towers in Moscow ... but these were designed and built after the breakup of the Union. E.g. the archive tower at Profsoyuznaya Street 82 was completed in the early 2000s. And, just like in the case of AT&T tower, there's plenty of dark legends about sinister surveillance databanks and stuff...

[@ryandamon714]

🔥

[@cageordie]

No doorbell "what so ever"? Do you ever think about these stock phrases you throw in? What so ever implies that there are partial doorbells that could be present, that there could be a small amount of doorbell, or a lot of doorbell, leading up to a complete doorbell. There either is or isn't a doorbell, it's an integer thing, so there's a doorbell, or doorbells (multiple occupancy), or no doorbell, but no partial doorbells. Other than that weirdness this is a very interesting video. Reminds me of a book I read maybe 40 years ago called "Beneath the city streets". Center Point in London is similarly suspect.

[@storres1368]

🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@chrisharris7893]

FYI, that X on Beaux is silent.

[@seanwebb605]

Because a building's use isn't what is appears doesn't mean that it is not a building. A market valuation for a property doesn't make the building the most expensive.

[@IVWOR]

Цікаве відео. Дякую ❤️

[@homerb3368]

@IVWORда интересное видео, Вы смотрели его находясь на Украине?

[@Deepthought-42]

2:55 Inhabited not inhibited!

[@61Slughi]

I think that's the word he meant to say.

[@ICECHICK5]

It's not a giant door to no where! It's the door to the mines of Moria! You just need Gandalf to say" Mellon😂

[@Waltaere]

Baarr 😃

[@user-er3ri6sc3j]

Speaking about buildings on the morning of September 11, 2001 there was a haunting order place for delivery to the World Trade Center. Anyone know?

[@edumacat3d]

greatest neighbours you can have

[@HereBeBarr]

hahaha

[@ziiiim]

I believe I watched a video that’s similar to this one from other KZbinr named Jordan

[@AllanAdamson]

I just feel like the public has a right to know & there's prevention in that too, which is why they do this in the first place

[@petercurrell9344]

They have them in London.

[@cachecow]

You should have told us what the cross streets were

[@KCKingdomCreateGreatTrekAgain]

Well if there was a doorbell on the first one ding dong ditching would be easy. You’d be long gone by the time they got up to the door.

[@honestnewsnet]

33 Freemason #

[@travelandeats8518]

I’m from Connecticut if I walked past the first one I’d think it’s an ordinary brownstone in nyc.. millions of buildings in nyc lol..

[@Kumar-xo9ng]

Please help me iam in bad phase

[@ianm1470]

Inhabited not inhibited

[@jesterface]

Joralemon tunnel is not the 2/3 it’s the 4/5 💀

[@lc8361]

Did anyone see a ghost in the window behind Jon's left shoulder? 2mins 3 seconds onwards

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

How is it not real? Its real, just not built for what you think its meant to look like. Its still real, you can touch it and see it.

[@ItAllLedUpToThis]

the way i walk through cortlandt alley often

[@dupl0]

The backwards driving car at 8:11 kinda triggers me...

[@WeedMIC]

Why didn't you get permission to see the inside of any?

[@kerrog4119]

No, i think Nyc has a trafficking problem

[@MeowjinBoo]

Vancouver is not a city of alleys

[@HereBeBarr]

I think i should have been more clear on that. Manhattan has about 5, Vancouver has 200+. What i really should have said was Vancouver plays NYC a lot b.c it has more alleys.

[@Carbonfiber07]

Jesus, NYC is so dirty. Do people not know how to use a trash can?

[@garycombs5721]

Not real? The order of the phoenix disagrees.

[@andremiller5552]

The fake buildings say this is a fake video.

[@philipgior3312]

If it's built, it's not a 'fake' building

[@satoril928]

Yeah, they're "infrastructure pieces with a facade to compliment the city landscape"

[@MAG3NT3]

I’m here early

[@JeremeyHowlett]

The second building has billions of dollars worth of gold inside. Basically that is the mainframe computers and hard drives for all the electronics in our world, from our hair dryers to our toasters, and even our cars, these computers keep track of everything, from when they were turned on, how fast you drove, and also all communications that were recorded with a date and time stamp. This technology has been around for many many decades. Before every human being was walking around with a cellphone, they would rely on the electronics that surround us to spy on us. That is why I always tell folks you cannot fool the Illuminati, they have their ways of finding out the truth. The crazy part of this is that all the recordings from the 20th century are still saved in those hard drives. Of course, the Illuminati love to make people think they are more powerful than they actually are, this allows the Illuminati to see the real person lurking inside the vessel that humans call the body.

[@bocki2768]

🤡

[@michaelarkin6839]

Come on, John, if you want credibility being a NYC KZbinr you need to be able to pronounce Joralemon properly.

[@Self-funded50Cents]

Those are very expensive fake buildings…😢

[@HereBeBarr]

hahah

[@satoril928]

Well, they all serve as pieces of the city's infrastructure so...

[@TheBobaJames]

Chase did it first.